Just bought this truck from hubbard trailers, in arizona, with a receipt from having both rear brakes redone. Drove it home then took it to the local fl dealership (nampa, id) to get an official inspection. On inspection the ABS and brake lights were on. Work was done, and I was told everything was fine on the truck re:brakes. I drove it home, about 30 miles and no problem. First time I tried to take it out on a trip, the rear caliper locked up. Called nampa freightliner, multiple times, while stopped on side of road. They advised to bleed the brakes, which I did. Started off again, rear caliper locked up, pulled truck over and found fire in the rear underchassis.
The worst 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes3
- Suspension2
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
- Wheels1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes3
- Suspension2
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
- Wheels1
Recalls 9
Fuel system, diesel
- What is wrong
- Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2004 through 2008 heavy trucks manufactured from july 11, 2003, through september 28, 2007, equipped with epa04 model mbe4000 engines built with plastic low pressure fuel lines and fuel filters mounted near the center of the engine on the left-hand side. The plastic low pressure fuel line between engine mounted fuel filter and engine block may develop a substantial diesel fuel leak.
- Risk
- This could create a road hazard increasing the risk of a crash. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Daimler trucks will notify owners and the remedy will be performed by detroit diesel corporation authorized repair facilities. Vehicles will be inspected and the plastic low pressure fuel line will be replaced with a steel low pressure fuel line. This service will be performed free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on october 28, 2011. The safety recall began on february 21, 2012. Owners may contact daimler trucks at 1‑800‑547‑0712.
Recall number 11V478000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Daimler trucks north america (dtna) is recalling 24,650 school and non-school buses, motor home chassis, and trucks manufactured from march 9, 2004 through august 18, 2006, equipped with epa04 certified mbe900 engines, manufactured by detroit diesel between march 1, 2004, and july 31, 2006. The high pressure fuel lines and transfer tubes may fatigue and fracture.
- Risk
- A fractured fuel line may leak diesel fuel possibly resulting in a fire or fuel may be spilled on the road causing a slippery surface, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Detroit diesel will notify owners and the vehicles will be repaired with more robust lines and vibration dampers free of charge. Repairs will be performed by authorized detroit diesel distributorships. The recall began on march 9, 2009. Owners may contact detroit diesel 1‑313‑592‑3708 or dtna toll-free at 1‑800‑547‑0712 for more information.
Recall number 08V668000 · Recall details
Power train: axle assembly
- What is wrong
- Daimler trucks is recalling 28,764 my 2001 through 2008 fccc b2 and fs65 school bus chassis, fccc fb65 conventional buses, and sterling acterra, freightliner fln, and business class m2 heavy trucks, built from january 26, 2000, through march 24, 2008, manufactured with arvinmeritor or axle alliance company 6,000 through 8,000 pound front axles utilizing a four piece spindle-nut set. These axle assemblies may have been produced with a thin spindle nut which may lead to incorrect end play, cone spin, excessive heat, degradation of lubrication, wear of the spindle nut and bearing journal, oil contamination with metal shavings, and premature bearing failure.
- Risk
- Continued operation may lead to wheel separation and possibly a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Daimler trucks will notify owners and will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on january 8, 2009. Owners may contact daimler trucks at 1‑800‑547‑0712.
Recall number 08V137000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: supply: check valve
- What is wrong
- Certain freightliner school bus chassis, heavy trucks, and thomas built school buses manufactured between july 2002 and july 3, 2007, equipped with bendix sr-7 spring brake control valves. The parker scv brass 90 degree single check valves (scv) which attach to the supply port of a bendix sr-7 spring brake modulating valve can break apart. Pieces of the parker scv can become lodged inside the sr-7 spring brake modulating valve, potentially causing either leakage out of the sr-7 valve or preventing air from properly exhausting from the sr-7 valve. Also, due to a manufacturing defect in the internal rubber check valve inside the sr-7 spring brake modulating valves, the valves can become deformed and not seat properly.
- Risk
- These conditions could either result in leakage and cause a delay in the application of the spring brake without warning or possibly lead to unintended vehicle rollaway or brake drag which could result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or death.
- Remedy
- Freightliner will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on january 11, 2008 to freightliner, sterling, and freightliner custom chassis owners; to thomas built bus owners on february 1, 2008. Owners can contact freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712.
Recall number 07V302000 · Recall details
Parking brake
- What is wrong
- Certain 2004 and 2005 thomas built c2 school buses and freightliner business class m2 heavy trucks manufactured between june 2004 and march 2005. The anchor/pivot bolt supplied with the park brake is defective and could fatigue fracture prematurely, resulting in the park brake failing to apply.
- Risk
- If the park brake anchor bolt fatigues and ultimately fractures, the park brake may not function and there may be no indication to the driver of the malfunction when the park brake is set. This may cause the vehicle to roll away without warning, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Freightliner will notify its owners and inspect and replace defective anchor bolts free of charge. The recall began on march 7, 2006. Owners may contact freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712.
Recall number 05V468000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
- What is wrong
- Certain my 2004 freightliner business class m2 and thomas built saf-t-liner c2 school buses manufactured between july 26 and october 29, 2004, equipped with a caterpillar c-7 engine and borg-warner kys 4735 35480 55 engine fan. The fan shroud may be drawn back into the fan at high engine speeds when the fan clutch engages. Due to reduced clearance, heavy contact between the fan and the shroud may cause the fan blade to fracture.
- Risk
- The fan may fracture and pieces may separate from the fan blade. In certain conditions, this may present a hazard to people near the vehicle with the hood open and the engine running.
- Remedy
- Freightliner will notify its customers and replace the engine fan with a fan that has a different mounting offset free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on january 16, 2006. Owners may contact freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712.
Recall number 05V393000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks and fire trucks equipped with kys 4735-43782-02 engine cooling fans and built on caterpillar 3126, c7, mbe906, mbe926, or cummins isc engines, the steel fan insert on the cooling fans can crack.
- Risk
- This can result in fan breakage, resulting in vehicle damage or personal injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engine cooling fan free of charge. The recall began on june 8, 2005. Owners may contact freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712.
Recall number 05V126000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: supply: check valve
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks, incorrect springs were installed in the exhaust port of certain air management unit (amu) solenoid valves and they may not turn off after actuation.
- Risk
- Depending on the function affected, this could result in rear suspension air pressure loss, malfunction of the engine brake, permanent engagement of the rear axle differential lock, or prevent engagement of the fifth wheel slide lock. If the warning indicators in the dash are not heeded, a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the affected valves. The recall began june 29, 2004. Owners should contact freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712.
Recall number 04V220000 · Recall details
Power train: manual transmission
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks equipped with manual transmission, the tapered joint that attaches the shifter to the transmission may become loose making it difficult to put the transmission into gear.
- Risk
- If shift lever detachment occurs, tha ability ro accelerate ot maintain speed will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will re-secure the shift lever to the transmission using threadlock and re-torquing the fastening bolt. Owner notification began on may 21, 2004. Owners should contact freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712.
Recall number 04V205000 · Recall details
See all 9 recalls for the 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2
Defect investigations
Front wheel separation
Odi is closing this investigation based on daimler truck north america 's (dtna) march 19, 2008, defect notification report which outlines dtna's intention to campaign 28,764 freightliner, sterling, and freightliner custom chassis vehicles [equipped with either arvinmeritor or axle alliance company 6,000 - 8,000 pound rated front axle assemblies utilizing a four piece spindle nut set] manufactured between january 26, 2000, and march 24, 2008.dtna has proposed providing a remedy for the currently installed four piece spindle nut systems which may lead to incorrect end play, [bearing] cone spin, excessive heat, degradation of lubrication, wear of the spindle nut [backface] and bearing journal, oil contamination with metal shavings, and premature bearing failure.continued operation may lead to a wheel separation.odi has relieved dtna of the responsibility to provide the information requested as part of this rq so that dtna could focus their efforts on investigation of the wheel separation issues and planning and implementing a responsive and timely field action (campaign).
RQ07003
Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2 32
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Revised Technical Service Letter for Series 60 and Series 50 Camshaft Timing Specifications
- Revised Freightliner Service Bulletin for Axle Flange Gasket Replaced with O-Ring
- Tech Talk discussion on MBE 900 Metal In Main Filter Housing.
- Updated Freightliner Service Bulletin for Powernet Troubleshooting Guide
- Freightliner Service Bulletin for Axle Flange Gasket Replaced with O-Ring
- Tech Talk discussion on 1939 voltages.
- Service Bulletin for severe duty main PDM installation for vehicles operating in severe moisture and/or...
- Sb0006 Freightliner Courtesy Engineering Policy
- Service information Bulletin
- Sb2028 Engine Coolant Changes
See all 32 bulletins for the 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2
What 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
M2 106 model started presenting major oil leak one month ago. Replaced oil pan gasket, but didn't correct problem. After mechanic verification, it turns out it is the front crankshaft oil seal. Mechanic stated he has seen quite a few freight models equipped with the cat3126 with oil leak problems from the same crankshaft oil seal.
Driving at 60mph highway limit. Without warning or vibration, front passenger wheel bearing broke off, sending the tire/wheel flying off the highway hill, down the access road, and smashing against a bank stone wall, after it broke through a 2nd stand alone stone wall. Lucky we could stop the truck without flipping over and lucky flying wheel/tire did not hit any vehicles, as it happened during lunch traffic hours. Bearing completely broke off. Was made responsible for second hand collision, property damages, and txdot $400 towing charges.
Dt: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the fuel line assembly burst without warning spraying diesel fuel onto the vehicle and the highway. The contact managed to park the vehicle on the side of the highway without further incident. The contact inspected the vehicle and determined the fuel lines were fractured into and needed replaced. A the federal safety agency recall, #05v469000 was performed on the vehicle concerning, the fuel system however, the recall did not remedy the problem. The dealership would not offer a second repair without charge under the recall. The manufacturer was alerted.
2004 feightliner m2 .on tuesday nov. 1st 2005 with no warning whatsoever my right front wheel came off with lug nuts and brake drum still attached nearly lost truck but kept it steady until I could stop it .wheel bearing and spindle failure was said to be the cause. Replaced whole front axle and both sides wheel bearings under warranty. Keep in mind that this was interstate posted speed of 65 MPH. Now at 112000 miles 42k later I go to get new tires and balance and what do you know now the driver side has given warning and it is 1/8 inch from disaster wheel bearing and spindle again. Have found nothing on any recalls on these defects. P.s. 75% of our nations school children are riding around on this same chassis.
(1) poor engineering. (2) front axel rated capacity is inadequate for vehicle (3) freightliner speciality vehicles advised of saftey issue 06/04/04, & freightliner on 09/08/04. They have taken no action to date.
(1) design (2) parking brake allows vehicle to move as much as 4 inches after setting. Unable to hook-up trailer without 2 people. Damaged hitch. (3) freightliner claims it can not be fixed.
The freightliner tractors we are now using at yellow transportation, in nationwide service, have a problem with the foot brakes. The brakes, when applied, are very slow to release. I feel this could cause a serious problem on slick surfaces. We usually pull twin trailers behind these tractors--and they are sleeper cabs, two man operation. The brakes will often drag the vehicle to a stop, even when no pressure is being applied.(as when coming to a red light-the light changes,brakes are released, but the vehicle continues to slow and will come to a stop).
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Questions about the 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2
Is the 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2 reliable?
Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2, 4.0 times a typical Business Class M2 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2?
Brakes, with 3 complaints. Next is suspension (2).
How many recalls does the 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2 have?
9 recalls, covering fuel system, diesel, fuel system, other and power train.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2 brakes?
Yes, 3 recalls: 07V302000, 05V468000, 04V220000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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